I'm Brazilian, so…showering everyday and applying some cologne/perfum afterwards, besides deodorant, before going to work or having a night out are a MUST. It's not that rare or uncommon people over-applying it, some even like it.
Where are you from and how is it like in your country?
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I do but it’s not very common and over-applying is even rarer, most people are pretty subtle. Germany.
I would say it depends on where in Europe you are. The southern countries -like Spain and Italy- are like Brasil. Northern countries are modest and applying too much is considered a bit tacky. But is done by quite a few men and women on a night out.
Poland. Some people do it, some people don’t. It’s socially agreed that you need to shower regularly and use deodorant especially during the summer and that’s it. Using strong smelling products in public is not advisable and also seen as excessive/rude in some places like public transport. I guess you shouldn’t smell at all or smell faintly pleasant.
As others have pointed out, it depends.
I personally use perfumes couple of times a year, but I know countless of people that wear it everyday.
It’s not socially unacceptable to not wear it and it’s not socially unacceptable to wear it everyday. Thumb rule is, just don’t put so much that people on the other side of the street will be able to smell you and you’ll be good.
I’m in Finland and I would say no. Deodorant is a must but perfume not.
I think it has changed in a couple of decades. When I was young I remember my mum always wore perfume and I did too often in my high school and early university years (in the 00s, very early-2010s.) But I barely ever do now and if other people do they use it little enough to not be noticeable. I own like one bottle of perfume at this point which I use for fancier occasions.
A bit of cologne and deodorant, aplied over a clean body in good hygienic conditions, SHOULD be common. My experience using public transport show me its not
Maybe on a night out but not every time you step out the door. Other than deodorant and maybe some perfumed hair products I haven’t used anything for decades, neither has my wife and many people we know..
Pretty common in Ireland, although we are more likely to underapply perfume than overapply. And you wouldn’t do it every time like just to go to the shops for example, but for going out or work yeah. Pretty normal
My husband and I don’t own any cologne or perfume and would never wear it. We find the smell to be horrible, like chemicals. Here in Spain, people bathe in it sometimes before going out, but it seems to be more the older generation.
People here like to bathe in heavy Arabian perfumes that it’s almost nauseating when going out. It has become the norm to wear perfume every day.
I wear perfume every day (UK) but I don’t over spray. My husband only wears it for evening events. It’s different for everyone I guess!
I wear it every time I am leaving the house, and I can often smell other people’s fragrances when I am outside so I’d say it’s the norm.
I don’t like colognes, perfumes, deodorants and the like… Entering an elevator and having it reek of cologne is horrible… More washing and less perfumeing.
Some like to wear a fragrance everyday, but a lot of people don’t. For me, it’s a matter of occasion. I’m not the kind of guy who would feel naked without perfume when I go for groceries. I have different ones for work, dates or mood, though. When it comes to application, less is more. You should smell a perfume when you are close enough for a handshake, no sooner. It’s not supposed to announce your presence at the door, not unless you are a 16 year old, that is, apparently.
It is a must and should definitely stay as a must. I would even add that more than deodorants, during the summer months antiperspirants should be a must.
You can definitely tell who does and who doesn’t. But obviously people shouldn’t use perfumes as a way to mask their lack of showering.
Depends, some do and some don’t here. Those who do so mostly do one to three perfume pushes each morning and that’s it. More than that would be rarer, I think.
Deodorant is pretty common too, I personally use both in the morning but without overdoing it.
I wear cologne if I’m going somewhere semi formal or out for food. Sometimes I’ll wear it if I’m going food shopping.
I never wear it if I’m going for a short errand run.
I wear cologne once or twice a week during the day, and always if I’m going for a night out.
Just a little bit, and of a mild fragrance. I don’t like people who smell strongly of anything, be it perfume or sweat. But, a small amount of pleasant perfume is nice. I appreciate it when women wear a small amount or use nicely scented shampoos/soaps which you can smell after they’ve showered.
It’s kinda common, but not the norm. Like when going on a date it’s pretty common, but at work or while going to the doctor’s its actually forbidden to have strong scents on you
I’ve lived in England, Canada and Denmark and I think it’s rare for people to wear strong scents. Obviously antiperspirants etc are standard but people like my old work colleague who sprayed perfume on herself at her desk in an open plan office deserve a punishment worse than those who microwave fish at work.
I have seen places like dentists, shrinks and physiotherapists in Canada with signs saying they are scent free and can patrons refrain from wearing scents.
Personally I think wearing a strong scent is selfish in places where people have to spend time with you, or are confined in anyway.
I can’t speak on behalf of all Europeans but. I personally would say a perfume in your every day life is a big no because they make me nauseous. A deodorant is enough.
Germany. It’s not a must. Some people use it, some not. Over applying happens and is a nuisance, if people are sensitive towards scents.
Judging from the replies, I feel many people don’t realize that perfume is not necessarily cologne or a strong fragrance with an alcoholic base. Perfumes can also be mild and pleasant, like those you find in herbal shops, which are lighter and better suited for everyday use without being so strong and overwhelming that they make the surroundings feel nauseating.
I live in Norway and react to people wearing ‘too much’ perfume as i would to chemical warfare – which it is to my nose